Starting with a limited amount of resources and workers, you set out to operate your lumber mill as efficiently as possible. Savvy investments and proper planning will guarantee that your mill will be the most profitable. Be cautious, however, for the competition is fierce! You need to secure the best cutting areas, make use of limited contract workers, and continually update and replace your equipment. Your competitors are not the only thing to worry about as you will also have to store enough firewood and food to survive the harsh winters.

Lignum is a strategic optimization game that depicts the logging industry in the 19th century. Each round, players will travel to the nearby forest, picking up tools and hiring workers along the way. After felling timber, players must choose how to transport their wood to their sawmills and if the wood should be processed or sold immediately, all the while optimizing their entire processing chain.

The second edition of Lignum also comes with the "Joinery & Buildings" expansion. In this expansion, players may visit two additional locations along the supply path. Players may now acquire special buildings that give them unique, special abilities for the remainder of the game. Additionally, players can obtain joiners to help generate more income each round; if those joiners are supplied with the appropriate wood, players can earn extra money at the end of the game!